Israel has initiated an evacuation effort, using a dedicated flight, to bring more than 200 of its citizens and Ethiopian Jews from two cities within the Amhara region, which has been affected by recent violent incidents. These evacuees have been relocated to the country’s capital, Addis Ababa.
It’s important to note that Amhara is home to a significant population of the Jewish community.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has released a statement outlining his decision to move the evacuees away from areas of conflict, with their ultimate destination being Israel.
Presently, major cities in the Amhara region have reported a relative state of calm following recent intense clashes between the army and local militias. While the military claims to have regained control in key regions, residents in smaller towns and rural areas have reported that local militias still maintain authority.
In another development, the United States and the United Kingdom have collaborated with three other nations – Japan, Australia, and New Zealand – to express collective concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Ethiopia.
A joint statement released on Friday says recent violence in the country’s Amhara and Oromia regions “have resulted in civilian deaths and instability”.
The UN’s Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia earlier said it was “deeply concerned” by the recent insecurity and called on the government to adhere to “the principles of necessity, proportionality, and non-discrimination” in implementing a state of emergency declared in connection with the violence.